Let's talk turkey here.
I'm going to be honest, I love vintage Thanksgiving turkey decor.
Tableware, to be specific. They're such a fun retro reminder of simpler times of having turkey dinner at Grandma's house.
These two colorful guys are vintage Napcoware candle holders. I have them in both the dark meat
and the white meat variety.
The white turkey in the middle is a matching planter-like thing.
Napcoware made salt and pepper shakers, napkin holders, soup tureens and sugar and creamers all in this same pattern. You could have your own little posse of turkeys on the table if you wanted.
These guys just have a paper sticker that says "Japan" on the bottom, so no idea who made them.
I have seen others just like them out in the wild (at antique malls), so they were mass-produced. By someone. Somewhere.
This guy is in the same boat; he is also unmarked and not one of a kind.
I love the more rustic look to him (as if a turkey isn't rustic enough in the first place).
Another unmarked turkey friend I found recently at the thrift store is this colorful guy! He's roughly 6" tall and 5 ½" long with an opening in his back.
I commonly see this sized turkey pieces listed as planters on eBay, but I also rarely see any signs of them ever actually having been used as a planter. I collect vintage McCoy planters and I hardly ever find vintage ones that don't have dirt remnants and hard water buildup on them, so I'm skeptical if these turkey guys were planters rather than just flower centerpieces for the Thanksgiving table.
This recent turkey find is much more stately than his cousin, shown above. He is 9" tall and 7 ½" long and has a Napcoware gold foil sticker on the bottom.
I particularly like the pop of blue on his wings for an extra bit of color.
Planter? Gravy Boat? Soup Tureen?
Who knows the original purpose, but he will be holding silverware in his back for the Thanksgiving dessert table.
My latest thrift store find is this set of turkey salt and pepper shakers that have Japan stamped on the bottom. No make, no foil sticker, just the word Japan.
I like their bright red, green, and gold coloring on them instead of more muted fall colors.
I've seen more modern Thanksgiving table accessories at Home Goods and such, but I'm partial to these old ones that have gone through ½ a century of bone-dry turkey, cold mashed potatoes, and Uncle Sal spilling wine on the tablecloth.
There's something about the history of how many Thanksgiving dinners these little guys have seen.
OK, I've never thought of it before, but these little guys are forced to watch you devour their kin. It's sort of like their own little private turkey hell.
I would give them a pardon this year, but they look so darn festive on the table.
New to vintage Thanksgiving turkey decor? If you want to start your own collection, they can be found at thrift stores and antique malls with a little digging and persistence. Or on Etsy or Ebay.
Do you collect vintage Thanksgiving turkey decor?
Or do you stick to the kind you can eat?
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.)
More posts that you might like:
Where To Buy Reproduction Vintage Christmas Decorations
Johanna
Goodness I’m late to the game! My favorite is the turkey under the cloche! So I’ve had a ceramic turkey napkin holder from Walmart for years… and then I found a set of vintage gray, teal and wine turkeys and then another female! So now I will collect any old ones I come by!
Shirley
My oldest daughter has one of the vintage turkeys just like the one you show under the glass dome, she got it her first Christmas as we all exchanged names, she is 63 now and I know she must still have it.
I do not recall a maker or mark on it.
It is cherished.
Marjan
Turkeys! They are sure cute, don't have anything like them and usually stick the the kind you can eat. I only have a big white Turkey plate I always use for "the Turkey"!
Denise Bryant
OMG....I am so excited that I found your post! It's exciting to meet someone else that has a turkey collection. You have inspired me to write a post and share my turkey collection. Thanks for sharing.
FLORENCE L SALMER
You know I seldom see vintage turkey or Thanksgiving decor, unfortunately. I don't think I've ever had any. All I have are a newer Pilgrim couple that came from Cracker Barrel one year. Someone gave me that, or I wouldn't have anything Thanksgiving-related. They usually spend every year wrapped up in a box in the attic...LOL. Your turkeys are very cute though. In our house, we would probably let the turkeys rest & have ham instead.
Vickie
Sure, I just sold my cloche that I could never quite figure out what to put under it, and you show us your vintage turkey sitting on that adorable cake stand covered with the same cloche I had. You've got a fun collection to display on turkey day, Pam! Just make them little blindfolds to wear while you eat.
Eme
I am so glad that you show the pride of a Holiday that is so overlooked. The other day in the supermarket all the Christmas décor was out and sad to say, nothing but napkins and paper plates showed Thanksgiving. While I have downsized my decorations, I still have 2 totes of Thanksgiving Turkeys and pilgrims. Its one of my favorite holidays of family and the no stress of getting gifts, wrapping them etc. Its one of feast , family and relaxation unless some go to the Black Friday sales. But love your flair for showing the Tom turkeys. Enjoy your holiday.
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
I love your vintage turkeys! I do collect them also...we have many of the same styles! I love the way you displayed the turkey under a cloche, on the little stand! So cute!
Marty Oravetz
Oh how fun, I love them all
Ann
My sister and I gave each other hand-painted vintage turkey platters that we found while thrifting. We fondly refer to these as our tacky turkey platters. Ha!
Pam
Thanksgiving is the time to let your tacky/freak flag fly!
Shelley
I love Thanksgiving decor....so I say thank you for keeping it front and center....plenty of time for Christmas.....
Jean
I have been collecting the planters for several years. Love the colors as they flock on my mantle.
Pam
How fun! I'd love to see a photo of your birds one day! I see the salt and peppers all the time, but find the planters are harder to locate!
Sue Pagels
Thanks so much for the lovely post! I love Thanksgiving and I cringe to see all my fav people/pages on FB already posting Christmas décor! I love Christmas, but let's give Thanksgiving it's due. I was married the day before Thanksgiving (36 years ago this year) so it's special to us! I love all the turkey planters and turkey plates - I have a few but my house in in shambles from new windows and decorating is at the bottom of the list this year!
Pam
Well congratulations on your upcoming 36 year year Anniversary!!! That's fantastic! I hear you on the new window situation. I'm thinking of painting my dining room before Thanksgiving, but the mess right before the holidays is giving me hives 🙂
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage
Love all your sweet vintage Turkey's especially the white ones! Happy Sunday Pam.
Kris
Pam
I knew you'd like the white ones! The white planter was my grandmother's and that's what started the whole turkey obsession!